HR0781 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0781 LRB097 20100 KXB 65474 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The children of Illinois are our future and will provide the leadership, creativity, and productivity to strengthen and sustain the quality of life in our State; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has the responsibility for ensuring that our children have every possible opportunity for school and future success; and

WHEREAS, Each student in Illinois deserves to be challenged academically and prepared for college, meaningful employment in our global economy, and lifelong success; and

WHEREAS, Each student in Illinois deserves to be supported by qualified, caring adults and receive access to personalized learning; and

WHEREAS, Each student in Illinois deserves to learn about and practice a healthy lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, Each student in Illinois deserves to learn in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe; and

WHEREAS, Each student in Illinois deserves to be actively engaged in learning and connected to the school and broader community; and

WHEREAS, The consequences of not ensuring our young people are challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged are clear; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has the highest dropout rate of any state in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, The cost to the State in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over the lifetime of these students is more than $10.1 billion; and

WHEREAS, 19% of Illinois children were in poverty in 2010; and

WHEREAS, 35% of children ages 3-5 were not enrolled in nursery school, preschool, or kindergarten in 2010; and

WHEREAS, 35% of Illinois children and teens ages 10-17 are overweight or obese; and

WHEREAS, Research indicates that more than 20% of students report there is no adult at their school who cares about them or knows them well; and

WHEREAS, According to the Indicators of School Crime and Safety report of 2010, 32% of middle and high school students reported being bullied during the 2007 school year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize March as "Illinois Whole Child Month"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the value of assuring that each student is challenged, supported, healthy, safe, and engaged; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage parents, educators, and community members to support a whole child approach to education for each student; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage every Illinois school to celebrate Whole Child Month by adopting at least one of the whole child tenets to promote and encourage throughout the month.